A26880:187
Catholic communion defended against both extremes, and unnecessary division confuted in five parts ...…Catholick communion defended against both extreams, and unnecessary division confuted in five parts ...…
Catholic communion defended against both extremes, and unnecessary division confuted in five parts ... / by Richard Baxter ...Catholick communion defended against both extreams, and unnecessary division confuted in five parts ... / by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1684
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
XXIV. The measuring out Churches by limits of Ground, Parochial or Diocesan, is a mere humane ordering of a mutable accident, and no Divine Determination: And if all were taken for Church members-because they ⟨p. 26⟩dwell in those precincts, it were wicked: But if it be but all in those precincts that are qualified Consenters, it is usually a convenient measure: But such as in many Cases must be broken.
XXIV. The measuring out Churches by limits of Ground, Parochial or Diocesan, is a meer humane ordering of a mutable accident, and no Divine Determination: And if all were taken for Church members-because they ⟨p. 26⟩dwell in those precincts, it were wicked: But if it be but all in those precincts that are qualified Consenters, it is usually a convenient measure: But such as in many Cases must be broken.
XXV. If a Church with Faithful Pastors be well settled in a place first where there are not more than should make up that one Church, it is not meet for any there to gather a distinct Church (though of the same Faith) without such weighty reason as will prove it necessary, or like to do more good than hurt: 1. Because Love inclineth to the greatest Union; 2. Because a Great Church is more strong and honourable than a small, if the number be not so great as to hinder the Ends. 3. And the Ancient Churches kept this Union.
XXV. If a Church with Faithful Pastors be well setled in a place first where there are not more than should make up that one Church, it is not meet for any there to gather a distinct Church (thô of the same Faith) without such weighty reason as will prove it necessary, or like to do more good than hurt: 1. Because Love inclineth to the greatest Union; 2. Because a Great Church is more strong and honourable than a small, if the number be not so great as to hinder the Ends. 3. And the Ancient Churches kept this Union.